National Space Society Partners
with the Coalition For Space Exploration to advocate new
vision

Washington, DC: The National Space Society (NSS) and the
Coalition for Space Exploration have agreed to join forces to help
promote greater public understanding of and support for the
nation's new Vision for Space Exploration.

"The National Space Society has established itself during the
past 30 years as a highly effective advocate for space exploration
at a grass roots level," said Jeff Carr, communications director
for United Space Alliance, a founding member of the Coalition for
Space Exploration. "We look forward to working together as partners
to ensure the public understands that this new vision is
affordable, achievable, and meaningful."

"The National Space Society firmly believes the Vision for Space
Exploration is the right thing for our country and our nation's
space program," said George Whitesides, NSS Executive Director. "We
look forward to working with the Coalition to activate public
support for this incredible adventure, an adventure that will lead
our nation toward a spacefaring civilization."

The Vision for Space Exploration begins with the return to
flight of the Space Shuttle and continues with completion of the
International Space Station. As important human research is
conducted aboard the orbiting outpost, robot probes will explore
our solar system and reconnoiter for human missions to come.

Once the station is complete, NASA will retire the shuttle in
favor of a new Constellation-class spaceship capable of taking
humans back to the Moon. From there, piloted space flights to Mars
and beyond will be possible.

This will happen following an affordable, stepping stone
approach. This is not an Apollo-like race requiring huge
investments to reach a single destination in a short timeframe.
Instead, this will be a journey that allows us to go as we pay.

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About the Coalition

The Coalition for Space Exploration is a collaborative effort
whose mission is to ensure the United States will remain a leader
in space, science and technology -- key factors that will benefit
the nation's economy, gratify our need to explore, and maintain our
national security. The Coalition seeks to generate momentum and
enthusiasm for the newly focused national space exploration
initiative by sharing the spirit-lifting excitement and tangible
benefits of our space program with the general public and our
nation's leaders.

Additional information about the Coalition and the nation's
Vision for Space Exploration can be found online at
www.spacecoalition.com.

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About the National Space Society

The National Space Society (NSS) is widely acknowledged as the
preeminent citizen's voice on space. Founded in 1974 by Werner von
Braun, the father of the Apollo Moon program, NSS has more than
20,000 supporters and 50 chapters across the country.